The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has initiated a workshop aimed toward addressing the declining participation of ladies in Zimbabwe’s political panorama.

The workshop is a part of ZESN’s Building Resources in Democracy, Governance, and Elections (BRIDGE) programme and is designed to discover the explanations behind ladies’s low curiosity in politics and develop methods for growing their involvement.

“We’re committed to creating a more inclusive political landscape,” stated Rindai Chipfunde-Vava, ZESN’s Director. “Women’s voices must be heard, and their perspectives must be reflected in decision-making processes.”

She highlighted the stark statistics that prompted the workshop. “In the recent elections, we saw a significant drop in women’s participation. Only one woman ran for president, and in the National Assembly, women’s representation stands at a mere 11.89%. Local government figures are even lower, at 15.1%,” she stated.

The workshop will delve into the multifaceted points that hinder ladies’s political engagement, together with patriarchal buildings, cultural obstacles, financial constraints, and the media’s portrayal of ladies politicians.

“Cultural norms and entrenched patriarchy form the foundation of these challenges, but there’s more to it,” she stated. “We’re looking at socioeconomic barriers, media portrayal, and the harsh environment women face when entering politics,” Chipfunde-Vava emphasised that whereas the workshop locations a powerful concentrate on ladies’s points, males’s involvement is equally necessary.

“Gender is about both men and women. We need men to change their mindsets and attitudes to actively support women’s participation.”

ZESN is collaborating with UN Women and the Zimbabwe Gender Commission to facilitate the workshop, which can embrace members from numerous establishments, together with the Electoral Commission, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, and civil society organizations.

Fadzai Traqino, the UN Women Zimbabwe Governance Advisor, underscored the significance of the workshop, stating, “The United Nations is committed to supporting Zimbabwe in its efforts to empower women and girls. Our support for elections is a key area in promoting inclusive governance, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 5, which calls for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”

The initiative is anticipated to have a big impression on Zimbabwe’s political panorama, fostering better gender equality and democratic governance.